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Group campsite accessible by kayak....
ReservationOvernightVery High Demand
Angel Island Environmental Campsites Permit
Limited hike-in campsites requiring ferry + 2.5 mile hike.
Other permits in Angel Island State Park we can watch
“Ten campsites on an island in San Francisco Bay you can only reach by ferry - then carry your gear up to two miles, some of it uphill.”
How to get Env Sites
There is no single Angel Island environmental campsite reservation. ReserveCalifornia splits the nine sites across four separate camps — East Bay (sites 1-3), Ridge (sites 4-6), Sunrise (sites 7-9) and West Garrison (site 10 and the kayak site) — and you book a site in one of them, so there is no one calendar covering the environmental sites for us to watch. Live check of the ReserveCalifornia catalogue on 2026-09-10 confirmed all four. The kayak-accessible group site has its own page here. We link the park booking page so you can pick the camp you want.
More about Angel Island State ParkPlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
How to get Env Sites
There is no single Angel Island environmental campsite reservation. ReserveCalifornia splits the nine sites across four separate camps — East Bay (sites 1-3), Ridge (sites 4-6), Sunrise (sites 7-9) and West Garrison (site 10 and the kayak site) — and you book a site in one of them, so there is no one calendar covering the environmental sites for us to watch. Live check of the ReserveCalifornia catalogue on 2026-09-10 confirmed all four. The kayak-accessible group site has its own page here. We link the park booking page so you can pick the camp you want.
More about Angel Island State ParkPlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
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Env Sites Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelExtremely High9/10
SeasonYear-round - Year-round
Env Sites Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Env Sites in Angel Island State Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Env Sites is one of the most competitive permits in the United States, rating 9/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Env Sites runs year-round.
- The Env Sites route covers 2 miles, rated moderate.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonYear-round - Year-round
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level9/10
LocationSan Francisco Bay, CA
Pro Tips
- •Book the Ridge sites if the Golden Gate view is the reason you are going, and the East Bay sites if the wind forecast looks bad.
- •Check the return ferry schedule before you book, not after. Winter weekday service is limited and the ferries will not wait.
- •No wood fires anywhere on the island - pack charcoal or a stove or you are eating cold.
- •Every site has running water, so you can carry gear instead of water. That is the one thing that makes a two-mile uphill carry reasonable.
- •Sunrise sites 7-9 can be combined into a group camp for up to 24 - if you are bringing a crowd, book them together rather than separately.
- •Set your alarm for the six-month mark. Ten sites for the whole Bay Area means the window opening is the only reliable shot.
- •Add the Immigration Station on your rest day: a 1-mile hike, $5 for the Detention Barracks Museum, and nearly 200 carved Chinese poems still on the walls.
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
2 miles
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-2 nights
Difficulty
ModerateHighlights
- •Four environmental camping areas totalling ten individual sites, plus a Kayak Camp for groups up to 20
- •A 1.5 to 2-mile carry from the ferry dock, some of it uphill
- •A table, food locker, running water, pit toilet and barbecue at each site
- •No wood fires anywhere on the island - charcoal or a camp stove only
- •Ridge sites exposed with Golden Gate views; East Bay sites generally protected from wind
- •Limited weekday ferry service in winter, so the return trip needs checking before you go
- •13 miles of trails and roadways for hikers; 9 miles open to cyclists
Best Time to Visit
September and October are the Bay Area's clear months - the summer fog that hides the Golden Gate Bridge from the Ridge sites finally lifts. Summer looks appealing on paper and often delivers fog and hard wind. Winter has the best availability but the thinnest ferry service, so confirm the schedule before you commit.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Missing the last ferry - schedules are limited on winter weekdays and the ferries do not wait
- !Sustained wind on the Ridge sites, with no natural shelter
- !Ticks and poison oak off-trail
- !Steep, stepped trails - the North Ridge Trail alone has 140 trail stairs
- !Historic buildings are precarious and some are fenced off; the Cold War Nike missile site is closed to the public
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
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View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create an account before permits drop
Find this permit on the managing agency's booking system and set up an account with your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Learn More
When to Go
Peak: May through OctoberShoulder: November through March
Conditions
Green hillsides and wildflowers across the island, with wind picking up through the afternoon.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Wildflowers cover the island in spring
- +Comfortable temperatures for the uphill carry
- +Ferry service ramping back up
Challenges
- !Afternoon wind on the Ridge sites
- !Six-month bookings for spring weekends go instantly
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Campers who can carry everything they need up to two miles uphill and who like the idea of a ferry schedule as their only exit. The trails are well signed and short - the weight on your back is the whole challenge.
Recommended Experience
Basic backpacking fitness. If you have carried a loaded pack two miles, you have done the hard part.
Not Recommended For
Anyone bringing a dog, since only service animals are allowed. Also anyone who cannot manage a two-mile uphill carry, or who needs to leave on their own schedule.
About This Permit
Angel Island's environmental campsites are the only legal way to spend a night on the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay. There are four camping areas - East Bay (sites 1-3), Ridge (sites 4-6), Sunrise (sites 7-9), and the West Garrison side with site 10 and the Kayak Camp. Each campsite has a table, food locker, running water, pit toilet and barbecue.
Getting there is the part people underestimate. Angel Island has no roads or bridges from the mainland - you arrive by public ferry from Tiburon or San Francisco, or by private boat. From the dock, campers carry their equipment 1.5 to 2 miles, some of it uphill. Charcoal grills or camp stoves are permitted; wood fires are not allowed anywhere on the island.
Reservations open six months in advance through ReserveCalifornia and, in the park's own words, are booked quickly. Site 10 is the island's only ADA-accessible campsite. Only service animals are allowed on Angel Island - no pets. The island has 13 miles of trails and roadways for hikers and 9 miles open to cyclists, with foot trails and Mount Livermore closed to bikes.
The Experience
Why It Matters
There is nowhere else in the Bay Area where you can watch the lights of San Francisco come on from your own campsite. Angel Island has no roads or bridges to the mainland, so the last ferry leaves and the island belongs to ten campsites' worth of people. Ten sites for the entire Bay Area is why these go the day the six-month window opens.
The Route
Everything starts at the ferry landing at Ayala Cove, from Tiburon or San Francisco. There are four environmental camping areas and the carry is 1.5 to 2 miles from the dock, some of it uphill. East Bay holds sites 1-3 on the island's east side, generally protected from wind. The Ridge sites, 4-6, are more exposed and pay for it with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Sunrise sites 7-9 sit on the east side too and can be booked individually or combined as a group camp for up to 24 people. Over on the west side near a small beach is the Kayak Camp, which takes groups up to 20 - and site 10, the island's only ADA-accessible campsite, near the Point Stuart Loop. Once you are set up, Mount Livermore at 788 feet is a 4-mile round trip with 140 trail stairs on the North Ridge Trail, and the historic sites - Camp Reynolds a mile west, the Immigration Station a mile north, Fort McDowell two miles - fill a day easily.
The Feeling
The ferry pulls away and the noise goes with it. You shoulder your pack at Ayala Cove and climb - a mile and a half to two miles depending on which camp you drew - and then the Golden Gate Bridge is right there across the water. Wind is the constant: the Ridge sites are exposed and get the view, the East Bay sites are tucked out of it. No wood fires are allowed anywhere on the island, so dinner is charcoal or a camp stove.
Trailhead Information
Ayala Cove ferry landing
The island's only public arrival point, served by ferry from Tiburon and San Francisco. Visitor center and cafe here; every campsite is a 1.5 to 2-mile carry from this dock.
Restrooms
Water on site
Parking
No vehicles on the island. Park at the mainland ferry terminal in Tiburon or San Francisco.
Getting There
Angel Island has no roads or bridges from the mainland. Public ferry or private boat only, and the ferries do not wait.
Nearest Services
The cafe by the ferry landing is the only place on the island that sells food.
East Bay Sites (1-3)
Generally protected from wind, on the island's east side.
Restrooms
Water on site
Ridge Sites (4-6)
More exposed than the other camps, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco.
Restrooms
Water on site
Sunrise Sites (7-9)
Bookable individually or combined as a group camp for up to 24 people.
Restrooms
Water on site
West Garrison - Site 10 and Kayak Camp
West side near a small beach. Site 10 is the island's only ADA-accessible campsite; the Kayak Camp accommodates groups up to 20.
Restrooms
Water on site
Rules & Regulations
- •Wood fires are not permitted anywhere on Angel Island; bring charcoal or a camp stove
- •Only service animals are allowed on Angel Island
- •Stay on designated trails to avoid ticks and poison oak
- •Do not feed raccoons or other wildlife
- •Roller skates, roller blades, scooters and skateboards are not allowed anywhere on the island
- •Foot trails and Mount Livermore are closed to cyclists; the road speed limit is 15 mph and cyclists under 18 must wear helmets
- •Kayak campers must secure their boats from high tidewaters
- •Park land is closed to entry after sunset except for registered campers
Gear Checklist
Required
- A pack you can carry two miles uphill - there is no vehicle support on the island
- Charcoal or camp stove fuel; wood fires are banned island-wide
- Wind-blocking layers - park guidance is that wind and weather can change rapidly in all seasons, so dress in layers
- A printed or offline ferry schedule for your return trip
- A headlamp; the island has no lighting away from Ayala Cove
- Cash or card for the ferry and for the $5 Detention Barracks Museum entry if you plan to visit
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Env Sites
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Key Landmarks
Ayala Cove ferry landing
Where every trip starts and ends; visitor center, cafe and the only dock service on the island
East Bay Sites 1-3
Generally protected from wind, on the island's east side
Ridge Sites 4-6
More exposed, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco
Sunrise Sites 7-9
Bookable individually or combined as a group camp for up to 24 people
Site 10 and Kayak Camp
West Garrison side near a small beach; site 10 is the island's only ADA-accessible campsite and the Kayak Camp holds groups up to 20
Mount Livermore
The island high point - a 4-mile round trip from the dock with 140 trail stairs on the North Ridge Trail
U.S. Immigration Station
A 1-mile hike northwest; the Detention Barracks Museum holds nearly 200 Chinese poems carved into the walls, $5 entry
Camp Reynolds (West Garrison)
Civil War site a mile west of the ferry landing
Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Env Sites.
🐻
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Env Sites FAQ
How many campsites are on Angel Island?
Ten individual environmental campsites across four camping areas - East Bay (1-3), Ridge (4-6), Sunrise (7-9) and site 10 on the West Garrison side - plus a Kayak Camp that accommodates groups up to 20.
How far do you have to hike to the Angel Island campsites?
California State Parks says sites are a 1.5 to 2-mile hike from the dock, some uphill, and that campers must carry their equipment up to two miles.
How do I get to Angel Island for camping?
By public ferry from Tiburon or San Francisco, or by private boat. There are no roads or bridges from the mainland, and there is limited weekday ferry service in winter.
How far in advance can I reserve an Angel Island campsite?
Six months, through ReserveCalifornia. The park notes reservations are booked quickly.
What is at each Angel Island campsite?
A table, food locker, running water, pit toilet and barbecue. Charcoal grills or camp stoves are permitted; wood fires are not allowed anywhere on the island.
Can I bring a dog camping on Angel Island?
No. Only service animals are allowed on Angel Island.
Which Angel Island campsite has the best view?
The Ridge sites (4-6) are the more exposed camps and offer views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. The East Bay sites (1-3) trade the view for wind protection.
Is any Angel Island campsite wheelchair accessible?
Site 10 is the island's only ADA-accessible campsite.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunset from the Ridge sites or the Ledyard Overlook, with the Golden Gate Bridge backlit across the water.
Best Light
Clear September and October evenings, when the marine layer stays outside the Gate and the city skyline lights up after dark.
Beat the Crowds
Day visitors leave on the last ferry and the island empties - everything after that is yours. Shoot Perles Beach and Camp Reynolds in the evening rather than midday, when the tram tour is running the perimeter.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline from the Ridge sites
- 📍360-degree Bay panorama from the 788-foot summit of Mount Livermore
- 📍Carved Chinese poems on the walls of the Detention Barracks at the Immigration Station
- 📍Civil War-era buildings at Camp Reynolds with the Bay behind them
- 📍Fog spilling through the Golden Gate at first light from the North Ridge Trail
Can't Get a Env Sites Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Angel Island Kayak-Accessible Group Campsite
Same AreaGroup camp on the west side near a small beach, accommodating up to 20 people.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Only makes sense for a group, and kayak campers must secure their boats against high tidewater.
Steep Ravine Environmental Campsites
Similar ExperienceSeven walk-in sites on a marine terrace one mile south of Stinson Beach, across the Golden Gate in Marin.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Open Pacific instead of Bay views, and you can drive to the terrace - but no ferry safety net and a far harder booking.
Live Oak Campground, Mount Diablo
Easier AlternativeDrive-in campground on Mount Diablo, about an hour east, with Bay Area summit views.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
You lose the island and the ferry, but you keep the big view and you can park at your site.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Env Sites trip
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